Restraining and training harnessing device

ABSTRACT

Restraining and training harnessing devices for pet animals, such as dogs, comprising one or more segments of flexible cord adapted for positioning in a cross-wise pattern across the animal&#39;&#39;s chest with cord portions extending along the animal&#39;&#39;s nech on both sides thereof and through one or more collar rings. The devices are provided with loop elements, associated with the cord, for encircling the upper portions of the animal&#39;&#39;s forelegs. Operatively, pulling forces applied on the harnessing device tend to draw the forelegs together and effect temporary inhibition of further attempts at movement of the animal.

United States Patent 1 [1 1 Wais et a1, Nov. 6, 1973 RESTRAINING ANDTRAINING 376,872 l/l888 Freeman 54/71 HARNESSING DEVICE 2,026,38312/1935 Gyulay 119/96 2,670,712 3/1954 Patience et a1. 54/71 [75]Inventors: Lowell Wais; Charles C. Milbourne,

both of Chlcago Primary ExaminerHugh R. ,Chamblee [73] Assignee: HarnexInc., Chicago, Ill. A n y-M rriam, Marshall et a1.

22 F1 d: A 4 1971 i 1 57 ABSTRACT [211 App! 168305 Restraining andtraining harnessing devices for pet ani Related US. Application Datamals, such as dogs, comprising one or more segments 3 Continuatiomimpanof 107,236 Jam 18 of flexible cord adapted for positioning in across-wise 1971 abandoned. pattern across the animals chest with cordportions extending along the animal's nech on both sides thereof [52]us. Cl. 119/106 and through one or more collar g The devices are [51]Int. Cl. A0lk 03/00 provided with p elements, associated with the cord,[58] Field of Search 119/96, 106, 109, for encircling the pp portions ofthe animals fore- 1 19 12 54/71 legs. Operatively, pulling forcesapplied on the harnessing device tend to draw the forelegs together andeffect 56 References Ci d temporary inhibition of further attempts atmovement UNITED STATES PATENTS ammal- 626,317 13 Claims, 13 DrawingFigures 6/1899 Brown 54/71 PATENTED "UV 6 I973 3,769,939 SHEET 10F 2FIG/2 PATENTEDvmv 6197s j SHEET 2 UF 2 FIG.

w w w CHARLES C. M/LBOURNE LOWELL WA/S CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of our copendingapplication Ser. No. 107,236, filed'Jan. 18, 1971 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally toimprovements in control devices for pets such as dogs and moreparticularly to harnessing devices for governing the forward movement ofdogs and for training dogs to avoid bolting and sustained pulling whilebeing walked.

Devices presently employed for governing the tendencies of a dog to pulland bolt forward while being walked include leash and collarcombinations as well as standard body harnesses.

Conventional leash and collar combinations ordinarily incorporatecollars of two types: the relatively fixed diameter belt type, and thevariable diameter choke type. The basic method of'operation of bothtypes of collars is the translation of a pulling force on the leash intoa choking action about the animals neck. The major difference betweenthe. collar type is that the belt" type ordinarily effects a less severemode of choking than the choke type.

The use of such collars is ordinarily thought to be necessary torestrain the dog and to train it to avoid bolting and sustained pullingwhile being walked. It is believed .that one of the most effectivemethods of causing a dog to cease a bolting or pulling movement is tochoke it to the pointlwhere it will cease such movement. Such repeatedchoking of the dog as it bolts and pulls supposedly will eventuallycondition the animal to avoid the physicalpunishment of choking byavoiding the bolting and pulling which give rise to choking.

It is widely recognized, however, that such collar and leashcombinations have limited effectiveness as training devices andrestraining means.

As training devices they are inefficient, inhumane and alwayspotentially harmful to the' animal. They inflict extensive physicalabuse and pain upon a dog in a process for conditioning it to avoidundesirable behavior. In such a conditioning process, if the bolting andpulling is strenuous and the trainer is steadfast in maintaining theleash in a, fixed position, the choking is proportionally quitepronounced. If the pulling is. less strenuous or the trainerinconsistantly allows forward movement in response to the pull, thechoking is proportionally less pronounced.

The animal is consequently not trained to avoid all bolting and pullingbut only that which results'in an intolerable degree of discomfort.Thus, dogs commonly continue to bolt and pull to a great degree evenafter extensive exposure-to and training with such leash and collarcombinations. The degree of continued pulling is are at all times freeto sustain a pulling movement even while it is being choked. This oftenresults in excessive strain on the person holding the leash.

Standard body harnesses also have an equally limited utility asrestraining and training devices. While they are ordinarily morehumane,in that they inflict little or no pain on the harnessed animals, theirutility again depends to a great extent upon the leash-holder's abilityto withstand the unimpaired, continued pulling by the animal, and littleconditioning to avoid pulling is effected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The harnessing devices of the present inventionprovide a humane and efficient means for restraining dogs and trainingthem to avoid bolting and sustained pulling.

Generally stated, embodiments of the harnessing devices of the inventioninclude one or more segments of flexible cord for positioning in across-wise pattern across a dogs chest with portions extending along theanimals neck on both sides thereof and through one or more collar rings.The devices are provided with loop structures to encircle the upperportions of the dogs forelegs.

The subject harnessing devices operate to translate forces, generated bybolting or pulling movements of the animal and/or restraining movementsof the trainer (hereinafter referred to as pulling forces), into forceson the flexible cord which simultaneously tend to draw theloop-encircled forelegs of the dog toward each other and effectivelypreclude continued bolting, pulling or forward movement. Once theforelegs are drawn toward each other (i.e., the right foreleg drawntoward the left and viceversa), the dog is substantially disabled frommoving in a normal fashion, and the trainer or walker is not subjectedto continued or increasing strain.

Because the subject devices temporarily incapacitate the animal withoutcausing pain, they permit a training procedure which is exceptionallyuniform and consis tent and therefore exceptionally efficient. Theanimal is conditioned to avoid behavior whichresults in consistentfrustrating incapacitation.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description of preferred embodiments thereof,reference being made to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an animal wearingan embodiment of the training and restraining harnessing devices of theinvention; I

FIG. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the device of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 10 show further alternative embodiments of the devices of theinvention.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the device of FIG. 1 incombination with a variable diemater collar having two ring structures.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary plan view of a loop-forming element of thedevice shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a variable length leash for use with thedevices of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a dogwears a harnessing device indicated generally at 11 and constructedaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown moreclearly in FIG. 2, harnessing device 11 comprises a single segment ofcord 12 having loop elements 13, 14 for encircling the upper portions ofthe forelegs of the dog.

Cord 12 is preferably of a smooth, flexible material such as wovenplastic. Such a construction facilitates the forming of looped portions.Loop elements 13, 14, which encircle the forelegs, may be integrallyformed of the same cord material, as shown, or may be of separateconstruction, appropriately fastened to cord 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, cord 12 extends loop 13 on the dogsleftforeleg, diagonally across the chest, along the right side of thedogs neck, through a ring 15 of a dog collar 16 at the back of the dog'sneck then turned back at bight 17 in a reverse direction through ring15, along the left side of the dogs neck and across the chest to loop 14on the right foreleg.

Device 11 may be used with a conventional leash 18 having a fastener 19for securing leash 18 to cord 12 at bight 17 behind ring 15.Alternatively, if cord 12 is of sufiicient length, no leash need beemployed.

In use, pulling forces, initiated by the person holding the leash or bythe dog, will eliminate any slack in the leash and harness and result inthe forelegs of the dog being drawn toward each other as describedpreviously. This literally stops the animal in its tracks since theforelegs can no longer participate in the initiation of the forward orbackward movement by the dog.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a harnessing device whch may bepositioned like device 11 of FIG. 1 and 2, but which includes two cordsegments 20, 20, each having a terminal fastening element 21, 21 forattachment to a leash.

FIG. 4 illustrates a double-stranded harnessing device fashioned froma-single endless cord 22. Closure elements, such as rings 23, 23function to form looped portions 24, 24 of cord 22 for encircling thedogs forelegs.

FIG. 5 shows a double-stranded device fashioned from two endless cords25, 26. The device of FIG. 5 is otherwise identical to that of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a multi-segmented harnessing device including a pairof loop elements 27, 28 connected by a cord segment 29 and a cordsegment 30 interconnecting cord segment 29 with an endless cord loop 31.Loop 31 fits about the dogs neck with a bight portion 32 extendingthrough a collar ring. FIG. 7 shows a similar multi-segmentedembodiment, but instead of a bight portion 32, there are two cordsegment 33, 33, each of which has a terminal fastening element 34,34.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment having loop elements 35, 36 eachprovided with a respective slip ring element 37, 37. An endless cord 38extends through both ring elements 37, 37 and encircles the dogs chestand neck in a cross-wise pattern. Ring elements 37, 37 encircle andretain cord 38. Cord 38 includes a bight portion 39 for passing througha collar ring. FIG. 9 shows a similar embodiment, but instead of a bightportion 39 there are two cord segments 40, 40 having terminal fastenerelements 41, 41.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 2 in which cord 12does not extend fully diagonally across the animals chest but passesthrough a ring 42 midway across the chest and then back around the neckof the animal on the same side as the loop from which it originates.

FIG. 11 illustrates a restraining and training harnessing device 43having a cord 44 with loop-forming elements 45, 45 fastened thereto. Inthe embodiment shown, loop-forming elements 45, 45 include straps 46,preferably of leather or plastic material, fastened by stitching tocord44. Each strap 46 is provided with a post member 47 affixed on the strapnear the point of attachment of the strap to cord 44 and a socket member48 near the opposite end.

Operation of loop-forming elements 45, 45 may be best understood inreference to FIG. 12 which shows post member 47 and socket member 48 ingreater detail. Post member 47 includes a metal base plate element 49,fastened to strap 46. Projecting from base element 49 is a cylindricalshaft element 50 having a cutaway portion in the form of acircumferential groove 51. Socket member 48 includes donut-shaped metalbase elements 52, 53 affixed to strap 46 on opposite sides of aperforation (not shown) in the strap, and retaining between them a metalspring clip element 54.

When a loop about the animals foreleg is to be formed with loop-formingelement 45, the end of strap 46 bearing socket member 48 is broughtaround the leg to post member 47. Shaft 50 is disposed into socketmember 48 and spring clip 54 is urged over shaft 50 until the clipengages into shaft groove 51, securing shaft 50 in socket member 48.

Spring clip element 54 is preferably of the design type permitting onlyunidirectional unfastening of socket member 48 from shaft 50. In thisrespect, spring clip 54 is preferably of a wishbone shape and engagesshaft 50 in a manner allowing the clip to be easily disengaged fromshaft 50 when lifting pressure is applied at the tip 55 of strap 46(pulling the opened end of the wishbone shaped clip over the shaft), butinhibiting disengagement when lifting pressure is applied elsewherealong strap 46.

Collar 56 is of a variable diameter type, having post members 57 andsocket member 58 similar in construction and operation to the post andsocket members of loop-forming elements 45, 45. Spaced-apart rings 59,59 through which cord 43 may be passed are provided at fixed positionson collar 56. When collar 56 is placed about the animals neck, rings 59,59 will ordinarily be positioned at or near the back portion of theneck. It may be seen that collar 56 is so designed as to permitalteration of its diameter without variation in the relative positionsof rings59, 59 with respect to the animals neck.

FIG. 13 shows a variable length leash 61 for use with the devices of theinvention. Leash 61 includes strap 62 of leather or plastic materialwhich has the hand grip portion 63 formed from a half twist of strap 62.It may be noted that such a configuration for hand grip portion 63facilitates its comfortable and secure positioning in the hand of theperson holding it. Strap 62 is further provided with a socket member 64near the end opposite hand grip portion 63 and at least two post members65, 66 intermediate socket member 64 and hand grip portion 63. Socketmember 64 and post members 65, 66 are similar in construction andoperation to post and socket members of loop-forming elements 45, 45.Also provided is slidable clipping member 67, including ring element 68which may slide freely along the length of strap 62.

In operation, leash 61 may be employed in a shortenedform by fasteningsocket member 64 to post member 65 which is positioned adjacent handgrip portion 63, clipping member 67 being disposed along strap 62intermediate socket member 64 and post member 65. Alternately, leash 61may be employed in a lengthened form (shown in phantom lines) byfastening socket member 64 to post member 66, clipping member beingdisposed along strap 62 intermediate socket member 64 and member 66.

Obviously, modifications and variations of the above described inventionmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.Therefore, only such limitations as are indicated in the appended claimsshall be placed thereon.

What is claimed is:

l. A harnessing device for use in the training and restraining of petanimals such as dogs, and for use with a collar having a ring elementlocated at the back of the animals neck, comprising:

a pair of loop means for encircling the right and left forelegs of suchan animal; and

flexible cord means for harnessing the animal;

said cord means comprising means connected to each of said loop means,for extending across the animals chest, around the back of the animalsneck and through the ring of said collar, whereby pulling forces on saidcord means may function to draw the animals forelegs toward each other.

2. The harnessing device of claim 1 wherein said loop means areintegrally formed from portions of said cord means.

3. The harnessing device of claim 1 wherein said cord means are of awoven plastic construction.

4. The harnessing device of claim 1 wherein said cord means forextending through said collar ring includes fastening means forconnection to a leash.

5. The harnessing device of claim 1 wherein said loop means includeattached slip ring means for encircling and retaining said cord means.

6. Apparatus for harnessing a dog, said apparatus comprising, incombination:

a collar having a ring means for positioning at the back of the dogsneck;

a first loop means for encircling the upper portion of the right forelegof the dog;

a second loop means for encircling the upper portion of the left forelegof the dog; and,

a flexible cord connected to each of said loop means and comprisingmeans for extending from said first loop means, along the left side ofthe dogs neck and through said collar ring means, then in reversedirection through said collar ring means, along the right side of thedog's neck and to said second loop means, whereby pulling forces on saidcord may function to draw the dogs forelegs toward each other.

7. A harnessing device for use in the training and restraining of petanimals such as dogs, and for use with a collar having a pair ofspaced-apart ring elements located respectively at the right and leftsides of the back of the animals neck, said harnessing devicecomprising:

' a pair of loop-forming means forming loops to encircle the right andleft forelegs of such an animal; flexible cord means for harnessing theanimal;

said cord means comprising a pair of means, each connected to andterminating at a respective one of said loop-forming means and eachextending across the animals chest directly from the loop-forming meansat which it terminates, then around the back of the animals neck andthrough the rings of said collar, whereby pulling forces on said cordmeans may function to draw the animals forelegs toward each other.

8. The harnessing device of claim 7 wherein said loop-forming meanscomprise a strap having unidirectionally unfastenable means for forminga loop from said strap.

9. The harnessing device of claim 8 wherein said fastening meanscomprise fastenable post and socket fastening means.

10. The harnessing device of claim 7 wherein said means for extendingthrough said collar rings includes fastening means for connection to aleash.

11. Apparatus for harnessing a dog, said apparatus comprising, incombination:

a collar having first and second ring means for positioning respectivelyat right and left sides of the back of the dogs neck;

a first loop means for encircling the upper portion of the right forelegof the dog;

a second loop means for encircling the upper portion of the left forelegof the dog; and,

a flexible cord having a pair of ends each terminating at and connectedwith a respective one of said loop means and comprising means extendingdirectly from the termination at said first loop means, along the leftside of the dogs neck and through said second collar ring means, then inreverse direction through said first collar ring means, along the rightside of the dogs neck and directly to the termination at said secondloop means, whereby pulling forces on said cord may function to draw thedogs forelegs toward each other.

12. A harnessing device as recited in claim 7 wherein said flexible cordmeans constitutes the sole connection between said collar and saidloop-forming means.

13. A harnessing device as recited in claim 11 wherein said flexiblecord constitutes the sole connection between said collar and saidloop-forming means. i l i

1. A harnessing device for use in the training and restraining of petanimals such as dogs, and for use with a collar having a ring elementlocated at the back of the animal''s neck, comprising: a pair of loopmeans for encircling the right and left forelegs of such an animal; andflexible cord means for harnessing the animal; said cord meanscomprising means connected to each of said loop means, for extendingacross the animal''s chest, around the back of the animal''s neck andthrough the ring of said collar, whereby pulling forces on said cordmeans may function to draw the animal''s forelegs toward each other. 2.The harnessing device of claim 1 wherein said loop means are integrallyformed from portions of said cord means.
 3. The harnessing device ofclaim 1 wherein saId cord means are of a woven plastic construction. 4.The harnessing device of claim 1 wherein said cord means for extendingthrough said collar ring includes fastening means for connection to aleash.
 5. The harnessing device of claim 1 wherein said loop meansinclude attached slip ring means for encircling and retaining said cordmeans.
 6. Apparatus for harnessing a dog, said apparatus comprising, incombination: a collar having a ring means for positioning at the back ofthe dog''s neck; a first loop means for encircling the upper portion ofthe right foreleg of the dog; a second loop means for encircling theupper portion of the left foreleg of the dog; and, a flexible cordconnected to each of said loop means and comprising means for extendingfrom said first loop means, along the left side of the dog''s neck andthrough said collar ring means, then in reverse direction through saidcollar ring means, along the right side of the dog''s neck and to saidsecond loop means, whereby pulling forces on said cord may function todraw the dog''s forelegs toward each other.
 7. A harnessing device foruse in the training and restraining of pet animals such as dogs, and foruse with a collar having a pair of spaced-apart ring elements locatedrespectively at the right and left sides of the back of the animal''sneck, said harnessing device comprising: a pair of loop-forming meansforming loops to encircle the right and left forelegs of such an animal;flexible cord means for harnessing the animal; said cord meanscomprising a pair of means, each connected to and terminating at arespective one of said loop-forming means and each extending across theanimal''s chest directly from the loop-forming means at which itterminates, then around the back of the animal''s neck and through therings of said collar, whereby pulling forces on said cord means mayfunction to draw the animal''s forelegs toward each other.
 8. Theharnessing device of claim 7 wherein said loop-forming means comprise astrap having unidirectionally unfastenable means for forming a loop fromsaid strap.
 9. The harnessing device of claim 8 wherein said fasteningmeans comprise fastenable post and socket fastening means.
 10. Theharnessing device of claim 7 wherein said means for extending throughsaid collar rings includes fastening means for connection to a leash.11. Apparatus for harnessing a dog, said apparatus comprising, incombination: a collar having first and second ring means for positioningrespectively at right and left sides of the back of the dog''s neck; afirst loop means for encircling the upper portion of the right forelegof the dog; a second loop means for encircling the upper portion of theleft foreleg of the dog; and, a flexible cord having a pair of ends eachterminating at and connected with a respective one of said loop meansand comprising means extending directly from the termination at saidfirst loop means, along the left side of the dog''s neck and throughsaid second collar ring means, then in reverse direction through saidfirst collar ring means, along the right side of the dog''s neck anddirectly to the termination at said second loop means, whereby pullingforces on said cord may function to draw the dog''s forelegs toward eachother.
 12. A harnessing device as recited in claim 7 wherein saidflexible cord means constitutes the sole connection between said collarand said loop-forming means.
 13. A harnessing device as recited in claim11 wherein said flexible cord constitutes the sole connection betweensaid collar and said loop-forming means.